Rejecting PM Netanyahu's Statement at the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Retno: Israel's Ultimate Goal is to Erase Palestine From the World Map

Foreign Minister Retno at the UN DK meeting on Gaza. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi firmly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement regarding his objection to the idea of ​​a Palestinian State as part of a two-state solution.

Foreign Minister Retno conveyed this in the Open Debate "The Situation In The Middle East, Including The Palestinian Question" which was held by the UN Security Council in New York, United States, Tuesday local time.

"On January 18, Prime Minister Netanyahu openly stated that he would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian State," said Foreign Minister Retno, citing a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, January 24.

"Indonesia strongly rejects this statement. This statement is unacceptable," she stressed.

"This confirms Israel's ultimate goal of erasing Palestine from the world map," she stressed.

Foreign Minister Retno further said that the threat of a large-scale war in the Middle East was a real danger, asking whether the UN Security Council would remain silent regarding this.

"Will this Council remain silent in the face of these intentions? The threat of a full-scale war in the Middle East is a real danger," she said.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized three things related to the current situation in Gaza.

"First, we demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire," said Foreign Minister Retno.

He explained that this will determine everything, and most importantly, this will provide space to overcome the humanitarian situation in Gaza, start carrying out post-conflict reconstruction efforts, and the process of a two-state solution.

At the same time, continued Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno, it is very important to support the work of the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to pave the way for providing humanitarian aid in Gaza.

"Secondly, Palestine must immediately be given full membership in the UN," continued the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Retno assessed that this was important to start fair and balanced efforts to achieve a two-state solution and to stop Israel's brutal aggression.

"And third, stop the flow of weapons to Israel," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Foreign Minister Retno said that every weapon sent to Israel could be used to kill innocent civilians.

It is known that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his objection to the idea of ​​establishing a Palestinian State, as part of a two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Not only Indonesia and Muslim-majority countries, the United States as a traditional ally of Israel and a number of Western countries, also supports a two-state solution with Palestinian independence.